In addition, Winsted had 38 traffic accidents, and 2,725 general public calls for service, he said.

Add this up, and it amounts to a fourth officer that would be kept busy, he said.

Henrich also reported information he researched from the League of Minnesota Cities, which placed Winsted the seventh largest in a list of 39 cities with three-man departments.

If Winsted is upgraded to a four-man department, the city would still rank higher than 12 on the list of 29 for departments that size in the state, he said.

Henrich also researched cost. To add another officer would amount to $36,000 per year, taking into consideration insurance, training, and other costs.

The department is hopeful it can add the position before service suffers, which is not the case now, Salo said.

Henrich encouraged council members to bring questions to the next meeting.

It is hoped to add the position by next year, with the city’s budget reflecting the addition in the fall, Henrich said.

New clerk hired

Deb Boelter of the Delano area was hired as the city clerk-treasurer for an annual salary of $42,000.

She will replace outgoing clerk Betty Zachmann.

Boelter will be given a bonus to be included in her salary of $1,000 for completing training as a “certified municipal clerk” and $1,000 for completion of a Bachelor of Arts degree in public administration.